Advice on Highway Travel in Arizona

[Archie F. Swin]

In March I plan on taking my family to see landmarks and (hopefully) some spring training baseball in Arizona. While I'm familiar with how the state is laid out, our travel will take us into some wide-open, sparsely-populated areas I wouldn't want to be stranded in.

From our home in Texas, my first destination is Farmington, New Mexico to stay the first night. Our second day will be in a region I'm completely unfamiliar with and need the most help with. From Farmington, we will make a stop at the Four Corners Marker (not really a big deal, but if we're in the the neighborhood...) and on to Monument Valley (something I've always wanted to see). Ideally, I would like to end this day of travel at a motel within a reasonable distance of the Grand Canyon. As far as I can tell, this would mean I have to drive from Monument Valley to Williams, Flagstaff or near the south rim to find accommodations. Doesn't look like there's much east of the Grand Canyon (unless you want to snuggle up to a Navajo). Can anyone tell me if its a reasonable drive from Monument Valley to Flagstaff (under normal driving conditions) to where we won't be pulling into town at midnight? Are there any surprisingly affordable places to stay within and hour of the south rim?

Anywhoo, we'll probably devote an entire day to the Grand Canyon (first visit in 25 years), then eventually make our way down to the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix/Surprise) and catch at least one Royals game and visit a distant cousin. Any must-see (also quick)stops between Flagstaff and Phoenix?

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

How's about stuff for kids to do in greater Phoenix?

McDonald's Playland

[LabRat38]

The family took a vacation to Sedona and the Grand Canyon this past summer. Sedona is pretty cool for the rock formations and hiking/biking trails. I couldn't believe how cool some of the red rocks looked. The drive from Flagstaff to Sedona takes you past some great scenary in Oak Creek Canyon. If you have kids you have to keep your swim trunks handy on this drive and stop at Slide Rock State Park. Where Oak Creek comes down off the mountains it created a set of natural waterslides in the rocks that are awesome to play in. I would suggest have water shoes though because the place is slicker than a gut. The boys enjoyed hitting this place. But those that have said the place is full of spiritualists and hippies is right. Great town to visit but wouldn't want to live there. Also have your hiking boots handy too. There are lots of great hiking trails around Sedona and if you hit up the visitor's bureau they can get you maps and suggestions on hiking trails to try out. Alot of them can be hiked in a couple/few hours. Also if you take out of Sedona on 179 toward I-17 Montezuma Well and Montezuma Castle are both just south of the intersection between 179 and I-17. They are nice to burn an hour each at. Both have Singua cliff dweller ruins. Those were cool too. 179 actually turns into Beaver Creek Road at I-17 and I believe you can just follow it around to the Montezuma's Well. You then need to get on I-17 south to get down to Montezuma's Castle.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

How's about stuff for kids to do in greater Phoenix?

The is Surprise "lake" and huge kids playground behind the spring training baseball fields. They could feed the ducks, do some fishing there and play on all the playground equipment. Pretty nice little area with a walking path all the way around the lake. Basketball and tennis courts there too. You could bring some stuff for a picnic and make a good day of it on the grass there. And it is a quick 10-15 minute walk to the ball fields from there so if your wife could watch the kids, and you went in the morning, you might get to see the Royals morning workouts and meet the players like I did.

I don't have kids so that is kind of all I can think of that I have seen.